Use of cationic non-silicate layer compounds in detergents

ABSTRACT

Cationic non-silicate layer compounds corresponding to general formula (I) 
     
         Mg.sub.x Al(OH).sub.y A.sub.z. NH.sub.2 O                  (I) 
    
     in which A represents an equivalent of a non-silicate anion, x has a value of from 1 to 5, y&gt;z and (y+Z)=2X+3 and n is a number of 0 to 10, are used in phosphate-reduced detergents for reducing fabric incrustation.

This invention relates to the use of cationic non-silicate layercompounds in detergent compositions and, in particular, inphosphate-reduced zeolite-based detergents.

In practice, combinations of zeolite A and so-called co-builders, suchas polycarboxylates for example, have been successfully used in attemptscompletely to replace the ecologically undesirable sodiumtripolyphosphate in detergent compositions. However, almost all theknown polycarboxylates presently used for detergent compositions showpoor biodegradable. Inorganic layer-like compounds have been proposed asalternative builder constituents which, ecologically, have no effect onthe environment. For example, synthetic, finely divided, water-insolublelayer silicates having a smectite-like crystal phase are described inEP-A 0 209 840 while crystalline, layer-form sodium silicates aredescribed in DE-OS 34 13 571. These layer compounds are all layersilicates.

The use of non-silicate layer compounds as builder component indetergent compositions is unknown. EP-A 0 206 799 describes the use ofmixed metal hydroxides solely for preventing dye transfer in washingprocesses.

In the context of the present invention, "phosphate-reduced" means thatdetergent compositions contain at most 30% by weight sodiumtripolyphosphate, but may also be completely phosphate-free.

The object of the present invention is to provide new phosphate-reduceddetergent compositions and to reduce fabric incrustation in standardwashing processes.

The objects stated above are achieved by the use of cationic,non-silicate layer compounds as a separate addition tozeolite-containing, phosphate-reduced and, in particular, phosphate-freedetergent compositions or as an integral detergent constituent. It hasbeen found in this regard that fabric incrustation is clearly reduced sothat the invention makes a significant contribution towards theformulation of environmentally compatible builder systems.

The present invention relates to the use of cationic, non-silicate layercompounds corresponding to general formula (I)

    Mg.sub.x Al(OH).sub.y A.sub.z ·nH.sub.2 O         (I)

in which A represents an equivalent of a non-silicate anion and theconditions 1<x<5, y>z, (y+z)=2x+3, 0<n<10 apply, in phosphate-reduceddetergent compositions, the cationic layer compounds belonging to thestructure type of hydrotalcite with a lattice distance for the mostintensive line in the X-ray diffractogram of from 7.4 to 8 Å for theproduct dried at 110° C.

In the context of the invention, cationic layer compounds are understoodto be solids of which the structure is derived from the layer-formmagnesium hydroxide, brucite, by the partial replacement of the divalentmetal ions by trivalent metal ions. The resulting positive excess chargeof the metal hydroxide layers is compensated by exchangeable anionsbetween the layers. Hydrotalcite may be used as a model substance forthis class of solids.

Hydrotalcite is a substance occurring in nature as a mineral having theapproximate composition

    Mg.sub.6 Al.sub.2 (OH).sub.16 CO.sub.3 ·4H.sub.2 O

the ratio of Mg to Al and, hence, the carbonate content being variablewithin relatively wide limits. The carbonate may be replaced by otheranions. By contrast, the substance is characterized by its layerstructure with the layer sequence ABAB . . . , where A is a positivelycharged triple layer of hydroxyl ions, metal cations and more hydroxylions. B is an intermediate layer of anions and water of crystallization.This layer structure is shown up in an X-ray powder diagram which may beused for characterization. Thus, ASTM Card No. 14-191 gives the linesfor the lattice plane spacings d=7.69, 3.88, 2.58, 2.30, 1.96, 1.53 and1.50 Å as the most intensive X-ray interferences. The spacing 7.69 Å isthe basic repetition period of the layers (=layer spacing) of thesubstance which normally contains water of crystallization. Morerigorous drying at elevated temperature (120° to 200° C. at normalpressure) leads to reduced layer spacings through release of the waterof crystallization.

The crystal structure of natural hydrotalcite was determinedradiographically by Allmann and Jepsen (N. Jahrb. Mineral. Monatsh.1969, pages 544-551). The range of variation of the Mg to Al ratio andits influence on the repetition period of the layers was investigated,for example, by Gastuche, Brown and Mortland (Clay Miner. 7 (1967),pages 177-192). Possible processes for the commercial production ofsynthetic hydrotalcite and its use as an agent for binding stomach acidwere described in 1967 by Kyowa Chemical Industry Co., Tokyo (DE-OS 1592 126). Apart from neutralizing stomach acid, hydrotalcite maygenerally be used for binding acidic components, for example impuritiesfrom catalytic processes (DE-OS 27 19 024) or unwanted dyes (DE-OS 29 29991). Further potential applications are in the field of corrosionprevention (DE-OS 31 28 716), the stabilization of plastics,particularly PVC (DE-PS 30 19 632), in wastewater treatment (JP-PS 79 24993, JP-PS 58 214 388) and in the production of colored pigments (JP-PS81 98 265).

The incorporation of carbonate ions as intermediate layer anions isparticularly preferred. Hydrotalcite-like solids containing other anionsmay be obtained by using a soluble salt of another acid instead ofsodium carbonate in the production process or by removing the carbonatefrom the carbonate-containing product in the form of CO₂ by reactionwith weak acids. The exchange of the anions is shown up in the X-raydiffractogram by a change in the layer spacings (T. Reichle, Chemtech.Jan. 1986, pages 58-63).

Another embodiment of the present invention is characterized by the useof cationic non-silicate layer compounds in which A in general formula(I) represents an equivalent of a carbonate ion.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterizedby the use of cationic non-silicate layer compounds corresponding togeneral formula (I) in a quantity of from 1 to 15% by weight, based onthe detergent composition. The use of 2 to 10% by weight of the cationicnon-silicate layer compounds, based on the detergent composition, isparticularly preferred.

Although, in principle, the phosphate content, based ontripolyphosphate, is not critical in the context of the presentinvention, the phosphate content expressed as sodium tripolyphosphate isless than 30% by weight in another preferred embodiment of theinvention.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized by theuse of cationic non-silicate layer compounds in phosphate-free detergentcompositions.

It is particularly preferred to use cationic non-silicate layercompounds where the detergent compositions contain from 10 to 30%zeolite A and from 1 to 15% of the cationic non-silicate layercompounds.

The layer compounds to be used in accordance with the invention may beincorporated by conventional methods for the production of detergents,for example by hot spraying together with other detergent components, bygranulation together with solid and/or liquid detergent components and/or by subsequent application to solid detergent components (for examplespray-dried powder, granulate, zeolite, layer silicate).

In addition to cationic layer compounds, detergent compositionsaccording to the invention may contain other builder salts, builders,surfactants, soaps, non-surfactant-like foam inhibitors and soilsuspending agents.

The builder components which may be present in the detergents accordingto the invention are described in detail hereinafter:

Suitable organic and inorganic builder salts are salts showing a mildlyacidic, neutral or alkaline reaction, particularly alkali salts whichare capable of precipitating or complexing calcium ions. Of theinorganic salts, the water-soluble alkali metaphosphates or alkalipolyphosphates, particularly pentasodium triphosphate, are of particularimportance alongside the alkali orthophosphates and alkalipyrophosphates. These phosphates may be completely or partly replaced byorganic complexing agents for calcium ions, including compounds of theaminopolycarboxylic acid type, such as for example nitrilotriacetic acid(NTA), ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, diethylenetriamine pentaaceticacid and higher homologs. Suitable phosphorus-containing organiccomplexing agents are the water-soluble salts of alkane phosphonicacids, amino- and hydroxyalkane phosphonic acids andphosphonopolycarboxylic acids, such as for example methane diphosphonicacid, dimethylaminomethane-1,1-diphosphonic acids, aminotrimethylenetriphosphonic acid, 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid,1-phosphonoethane-1,2-dicarboxylicacid,2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4tricarboxylicacid.

Among the organic builders, the nitrogen- and phosphorus-freepolycarboxylic acids which form complex salts with calcium ions,including polymers containing carboxyl groups, are of particularimportance. Suitable polycarboxylic acids of this type are, for example,citric acid, tartaric acid, benzenehexacarboxylic acid andtetrahydrofuran tetracarboxylic acid. Polycarboxylic acids containingether groups, such as 2,2'-hydroxydisuccinic acid, are also suitable asare polyfunctional alcohols or hydroxycarboxylic acids completely orpartly etherified with glycolic acid, for example bis-carboxymethylethylene glycol, carboxymethyl hydroxysuccinic acid, carboxymethyltartronic acid and carboxymethylated or oxidized polysaccharides.Polymeric carboxylic acids having a molecular weight in the range from350 to approximately 1,500,000 in the form of water-soluble salts arealso suitable. Particularly preferred polymeric polycarboxylates have amolecular weight in the range from 500 to 175,000 and more especially inthe range from 10,000 to 100,000. These compounds include, for example,polyacrylic acid, polyhydroxyacrylic acid, polymaleic acid andcopolymers of the corresponding monomeric carboxylic acids with oneanother or with ethylenically unsaturated compounds, such as vinylmethyl ether. Water-soluble salts of polyglyoxylic acid are alsosuitable.

Suitable water-insoluble inorganic builders are the finely divided,synthetic sodium alumosilicates of the zeolite A type containing boundwater which are described in detail as phosphate substitutes fordetergents and cleaning preparations in DE-OS 24 12 837.

The cation-exchanging sodium alumosilicates are used in the usualhydrated, finely crystalline form, i.e. they contain hardly anyparticles larger than 30 μm and, preferably to an extent of at least80%, consist of particles smaller than 10 μm in size. Their calciumbinding power, as determined in accordance with DE-OS 24 12 837, is inthe range from 100 to 200 mg CaO/g. Zeolite NaA is particularlysuitable, although zeolite NaX and mixtures of NaA and NaX may also beused.

Suitable inorganic, non-complexing salts are the alkali salts--alsoknown as "washing alkalis"--of the bicarbonates, carbonates, borates,sulfates and silicates. Of the alkali silicates, the sodium silicates inwhich the ratio of Na₂ O to SiO₂ is from 1:1 to 1:3.5 are particularlypreferred.

Other builders which are generally used in liquid detergents by virtueof their hydrotropic properties are the salts of non-capillary-activeC₂₋₉ sulfonic acids, carboxylic acids and sulfocarboxylic acids, forexample the alkali salts of alkane, benzene, toluene, xylene or cumenesulfonic acids, sulfobenzoic acid, sulfohhthalic acid, sulfoacetic acid,sulfosuccinic acid and the salts of acetic acid or lactic acid.Acetamide and ureas are also suitable solubilizers.

Surfactants which may be present as further components in the detergentsaccording to the invention contain at least one hydrophobic organicradical and a water-solubilizing anionic, zwitter-ionic or nonionicgroup in the molecule. The hydrophobic radical is generally an aliphatichydrocarbon radical containing 8 to 26, preferably 10 to 22 and morepreferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms or an alkyl aromatic radical containing6 to 18 and preferably 8 to 16 aliphatic carbon atoms.

Suitable anionic surfactants are, for example, soaps of natural orsynthetic, preferably saturated, fatty acids and, optionally, of resinicor naphthenic acids. Suitable synthetic ionic surfactants are those ofthe sulfate, sulfonate and synthetic carboxylate type.

Suitable surfactacts of the sulfonate type are alkyl benzenesulfonates(C₉₋₁₅ alkyl), olefin sulfonates, i.e. mixtures of alkene andhydroxyalkane sulfonates and also disulfonates, of the type obtained forexample from C₁₂₋₁₈ monoolefins containing a terminal or internal doublebond by sulfonation with gaseous sulfur trioxide and subsequent alkalineor acidic hydrolysis of the sulfonation products.

Other suitable sulfonate surfactants are the alkane sulfonatesobtainable from C₁₂₋₁₈ alkanes by sulfochlorination or sulfoxidation andsubsequent hydrolysis or neutralization or by addition of bisulfitesonto olefins and also the esters of α-sulfofatty acids, for example theα-sulfonated methyl or ethyl esters of hydrogenated coconut oil, palmkernel oil or tallow fatty acids.

Suitable surfactants of the sulfate type are sulfuric acid monoesters ofprimary alcohols of natural and synthetic origin, i.e. of fattyalcohols, such as for example coconut oil fatty alcohols, tallow fattyalcohols, oleyl alcohol, lauryl, myristyl, palmityl or stearyl alcohol,or the C₁₀₋₂₀ oxoalcohols and secondary alcohols having the same chainlength. Sulfuric acid monoesters of aliphatic primary alcoholsethoxylated with 1 to 6 mol ethylene oxide and ethoxylated secondaryalcohols and alkylphenols are also suitable. Sulfatized fatty acidalcohol amides and sulfatized fatty acid monoglycerides may also beused.

Other suitable anionic surfactants are the fatty acid esters and amidesof hydroxy- or aminocarboxylic acids or sulfonic acids such as, forexample, fatty acid sarcosides, glycolates, lactates, taurides orisethionates.

The anionic surfactants may be present in the form of their sodium,potassium and ammonium salts and as soluble salts of organic bases, suchas mono-, di- or triethanolamine.

Adducts of 1 to 40 mol and preferably 2 to 20 mol ethylene oxide with 1mol of a compound essentially containing 10 to 20 carbon atoms from thegroup consisting of alcohols, alkylphenols and fatty acids may be usedas nonionic surfactants. Particularly important adducts are those of 8to 20 mol ethylene oxide with primary alcohols for example with coconutor tallow fatty alcohols, With oleyl alcohol, with oxoalcohols, or withsecondary alcohols containing 8 to 18 and preferably 12 to 18 carbonatoms and with mono- or dialkylphenols containing 6 to 14 carbon atomsin the alkyl groups. In addition to these water-soluble nonionics,however, it is also possible to use water-insoluble or substantiallywater-insoluble polyglycol ethers containing 2 to 7 ethylene glycolether groups in the molecule are also of interest, particularly wherethey are used together with water-soluble nonionic or anionicsurfactants.

Other suitable nonionic surfactants are the water-soluble adductscontaining--20 to 250 ethylene glycol ether groups and 10 to 100propylene glycol ether groups--of ethylene oxide with polypropyleneglycol, alkylenediamine polypropylene glycol and with alkylpolypropylene glycols containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alkylchain, in which the polypropylene glycol chain functions as thehydrophobic radical. It is also possible to use nonionic surfactants ofthe amine oxide or sulfoxide type, for example the compounds N-coconutalkyl-N,N-dimethylamine oxide,N-hexadecyl-N,N-bis-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-amine oxide, N-tallowalkyl-N,N-dihydroxyethylamine oxide. N-alkoxylated fatty acid amides donot count as nonionic surfactants in the context of the invention.

The zwitter-ionic surfactants optionally used are preferably derivativesof aliphatic quaternary ammonium compounds, in which one of thealiphatic radicals consists of a C₈₋₁₈ radical and another contains ananionic, water-solubilizing carboxy, sulfo or sulfato group. Typicalrepresentatives of such surface-active betaines are, for example, thecompounds3-(N-hexadecyl-N,N-dimethylammonio) -propane sulfonate;3-(N-tallow alkyl-N,N-dimethylammonio)2-hydroxypropane sulfonate;3-(N-hexadecyl-N,N-bis -(2-hydroxyethyl)-ammonio)-2-hydroxypropylsulfate; 3 -(N-coconutalkyl-N,N-bis-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-ammonio)-propanesulfonate;N-tetradecyl-N,N-dimethylammonioacetate;N-hexadecyl-N,N-bis-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-ammonioacetate.

Reduced foaming power, which is desirable where the detergents are usedin machines, is obtained, for example, by the co-use of soaps. Withsoaps, foam suppression increases with the degree of saturation and theC number of the fatty acid ester; accordingly, soaps of saturated andunsaturated C₁₂₋₂₄ fatty acids are particularly suitable as foaminhibitors.

The non-surfactant-like foam inhibitors are generally water-insoluble,mostly aliphatic C₈₋₂₂ compounds. Suitable non-surfactant-like foaminhibitors are, for example, the N-alkylaminotriazines, i.e. reactionproducts of 1 mol cyanuric chloride with 2 to 3 mol of a mono- ordialkylamine essentially containing 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkylgroup. Other suitable non-surfactant-like foam inhibitors arepropoxylated and/or butoxylated aminotriazines, for example the reactionproducts of 1 mol melamine with 5 to 10 mol propylene oxide and, inaddition, 10 to 50 mol butylene oxide and also aliphatic C₁₈₋₄₀ ketones,such as for example stearone, fatty ketones of hydrogenated train oilfatty acid or tallow fatty acid and also paraffins and haloparaffinshaving melting points below 100° C. and silicone oil emulsions based onpolymeric organosilicon compounds.

The detergents according to the invention may additionally containbleaches and bleach activators. Among the compounds yielding H₂ O₂ inwater, which serve as bleaches, sodium perborate tetrahydrate (NaBO₂ ·H₂O₂ ·3H₂ O) and the monohydrate (NaBO₂ ·H₂ O₂) are of particularimportance. However, it is also possible to use other H₂ O₂ -yieldingborates, for example perborax Na₂ B₄ O₇ ·4H₂ O₂. These comborates poundsmay be partly or completely replaced by other active oxygen carriers,more especially by peroxypyrophosphates, citrate perhydrates, urea/H₂ O₂or melamine/H₂ O₂ compounds, and by H₂ O₂ -yielding per acid salts suchas, for example, caroates (KHSO₃), perbenzoates or peroxyphthalates.

Since the detergents according to the invention are intended inparticular for washing at low washing temperatures, activator-containingbleach components are preferably incorporated in the detergents.Suitable activators for per compounds which yield H₂ O₂ in water arecertain N-acyl or O-acyl compounds which form organic per acids.Suitable compounds are inter alia N-diacylated and N,N'-tetraacylatedamines such as, for example, N,N,N',N,-tetraacetyl methylenediamine orethylenediamine or tetraacetyl glycoluril.

The detergent compositions according to the invention may also containsoil suspending agents which keep the soil detached from the fiberssuspended in the wash liquor and thus prevent redeposition. Suitablesoil suspending agents are generally organic water-soluble colloids,such as for example the water-soluble salts of polymeric carboxylicacids, glue, gelatine, salts of ether carboxylic acids or ether sulfonicacids of starch or cellulose or salts of acidic sulfuric acid esters ofcellulose or starch. Water-soluble polyamides containing acidic groupsare also suitable for this purpose. It is also possible to use solublestarch preparations and other starch products than those mentionedabove, such as for example degraded starch, aldehyde starches, etc.Polyvinylpyrrolidone may also be used.

EXAMPLES

The magnesium aluminium hydroxycarbonate (hydrotalcite) ofhydrotalcite-like structure used for Example 1 was prepared inaccordance with DE-OS 15 92 126 by adding a solution of 6.4 kg Mg(NO₃)₂·6H₂ O and 4.7 kg Al(NO₃)₃ ·6H₂ O in 17.5 kg deionized water to asolution of 7 kg 50% by weight sodium hydroxide and 2.5 kg sodiumcarbonate in 25 kg deionized water with stirring over a period of 4hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was then stirred for 18hours at 65° C., the white precipitate was removed by centrifuging andwashed with approximately 60 l deionized water. The product was thendried in vacuo at 110° C.

The product shows the X-ray diffractogram typical of hydrotalcite withthe interferences for lattice plane spacings d=7.68, 3.82, 2.67 (reflexwith shoulder), 2.32 (broad), 1.97 (broad), 1.52 and 1.50 Å. Theanalytically determined ratio of Mg to Al was 2.08 to l.

In the following Examples, EO stands for ethylene oxide.

COMPARISON EXAMPLE 1

Washing tests were carried out in a domestic drum-type washing machine.To this end, the phosphate-free, zeolite-containing basic detergent ofthe following composition was first prepared:

    ______________________________________                                        Basic detergent A       %                                                     ______________________________________                                        Alkyl benzensuulfonate      8.0                                               Tallow fatty alcohol-5 EO   2.4                                               Tallow fatty alcohol-14 EO  0.5                                                C.sub.12-18 fatty alcohol-5 EO +                                                                         1.5                                               C.sub.12-14 fatty alcohol-3 EO mixture                                        C.sub.16-22 fatty acid Na salt                                                                            8.0                                               Zeolite A                   25.0                                              Waterglass, Na.sub.2 O:SiO.sub.2 ratio 3.35                                                               1.5                                               Sodium carbonate            0.6                                               Na ethylenediamine tetramethylene                                                                         0.1                                               phosphonate                                                                   Cellulose ether mixture     0.8                                               Sodiumperborate tetrahydrate                                                                              22.5                                              Tetraacetyl ethylenediamine 1.0                                                Protease                    0.2 +                                            Optical brightener, perfume 0.3                                               Salts, water and Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                        balance                                           ______________________________________                                    

104 g of basic detergent A was added to the prewash and 144 g to themain wash of a 90° C. boil-wash program (water hardness approx. 16° Gh).A 3.5 kg load of normally soiled washing were washed 19 times in thepresence of cotton fabrics. After 19 washes, the cotton fabric wasincinerated. The results are shown in Table 1.

COMPARISON EXAMPLE 2

Washing tests were carried out in a domestic drum-type washing machineusing a detergent of the following composition:

    ______________________________________                                        Detergent composition B %                                                     ______________________________________                                        Synthetic layer silicate according                                                                        5.0                                               to EP 0 209 840                                                               Alkyl benzenesulfonate      8.0                                               Tallow fatty alcohol-5 EO   2.4                                               Tallow fatty alcohol-14 EO  0.5                                                C.sub.12-18 fatty alcohol-5 EO +                                                                         1.5                                               C.sub.12-14 fatty alcohol-3 EO mixture                                        C.sub.16-22 fatty acid Na salt                                                                            8.0                                               Zeolite A                   25.0                                              Waterglass, Na.sub.2 O:SiO.sub.2 ratio 3.35                                                               1.5                                               Sodium carbonate            0.6                                               Na ethylenediamine tetramethylene                                                                         0.1                                               phosphonate                                                                   Cellulose ether mixture     0.8                                               Sodiumperborate tetrahydrate                                                                              22.5                                              Tetraacetyl ethylenediamine 1.0                                                Protease                    0.2 +                                            Optical brightener, perfurme                                                                              0.3                                               Salts, water and Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                        balance                                           ______________________________________                                    

As with basic detergent A, 104 g of detergent B was introduced into theprewash and 144 g into the main wash of a 90° C. boil-wash program(water hardness approx. 16° GH). A 3.5 kg load of normally soiledwashing were washed 19 times in the presence of cotton fabrics. After 19washes, the cotton fabric was incinerated. The results are shown inTable 1.

EXAMPLE 1

Washing tests were carried out in a domestic drum-type washing machineusing a detergent having the following composition:

    ______________________________________                                        Detergent Composition C %                                                     ______________________________________                                        Hydrotalcite                5.0                                               Alkyl benzenesulfonate      8.0                                               Tallow fatty alcohol-5 EO   2.4                                               Tallow fatty alcohol-14 EO  0.5                                                C.sub.12-18 fatty alcohol-5 EO +                                                                         1.5                                               C.sub.12-14 fatty alcohol-3 EO mixture                                        C.sub.16-22 fatty acid Na salt                                                                            8.0                                               Zeolite A                   25.0                                              Waterglass, Na.sub.2 O:SiO.sub.2 ratio 3.35                                                               1.5                                               Sodiumcarbonate             0.6                                               Na ethylenediamine tetramethylene                                                                         0.1                                               phosphonate                                                                   Cellulose ether mixture     0.8                                               Sodiumperborate tetrahydrate                                                                              22.5                                              Tetraacetyl ethylenediamine 1.0                                                Protease                    0.2 +                                            Optical brightener, perfurme                                                                              0.3                                               Salts, water and Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                        balance                                           ______________________________________                                    

As described in the Comparison Examples, 104 g detergent C wasintroduced into the prewash and 144 g into the main wash of a 90° C.boil wash program (water hardness approx. 16 Gh). A 3.5 kg load ofnormally soiled washing were washed 19 times in the presence of cottonfabrics. After 19 washes, the cotton fabric was incinerated.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                        Example                                                                       (detergent composition)                                                                          % Ash                                                      ______________________________________                                        Comp. 1 (A)        1.21                                                       Comp. 2 (B)        0.99                                                       1 (C)              0.84                                                       ______________________________________                                    

The results in Table 1 show that the use of cationic non-silicate layercompounds of the hydrotalcite type in accordance with the invention inthe detergent composition according to the invention leads to areduction in fabric incrustation for the same detergency.

We claim:
 1. The process of reducing the incrustation of launderedfabrics, comprising laundering fabrics with a laundry detergentcomposition containing from about 1 to about 15% by weight, based on theweight of said composition, of a cationic non-silicate layer compoundcorresponding to formula (I)

    Mg.sub.x Al(OH).sub.y A.sub.z ·nH.sub.2 O         (I)

wherein A represents an equivalent of a non-silicate anion and 1<X<5,y>z, (y+z)=2x+3, 0<n<10, said cationic non-silicate layer compoundhaving a hydrotalcite structure with a lattice distance for the mostintensive line in the X-ray diffractogram of from about 7.4 to about 8 Åwhen dried at 110° C.
 2. The process as in claim 1 wherein A representsan equivalent of a carbonate ion.
 3. The process as in claim 1 whereinsaid layer compound is present in a quantity of from about 2 to about10% by weight, based on the weight of said detergent composition.
 4. Theprocess as in claim 1 wherein said detergent composition contains up toabout 30% by weight of a phosphate compound, based on the weight of saiddetergent composition.
 5. The process as in claim 1 wherein saiddetergent composition is essentially free of a phosphate compound. 6.The process as in claim 1 wherein said detergent composition containsfrom about 10 to about 30% by weight of zeolite A, based on the weightof said detergent composition.
 7. The process as in claim 1 wherein saiddetergent composition contains a builder component, surfactant, soap,foam inhibitor, and soil-suspending agent.
 8. The process of reducingthe incrustation of laundered fabrics, comprising laundering fabricswith a laundry detergent composition containing from about 10 to about30% by weight of zeolite A and from about 1 to about 15% by weight,based on the weight of said composition, of a cationic non-silicatelayer compound corresponding to formula (I)

    Mg.sub.x Al(OH).sub.y A.sub.z ·nH.sub.2 O         (I)

wherein A represents an equivalent of a non-silicate anion and 1<X<5,y>z, (y+z)=2x+3, 0<n<10, said cationic non-silicate layer compoundhaving a hydrotalcite structure with a lattice distance for the mostintensive line in the X-ray diffractogram of from about 7.4 to about 8 Åwhen dried at 110° C.